Dental charting system

ABSTRACT

A computer-implemented dental charting system includes a computer storing tooth data for at least one patient and a display operable to display the tooth data. The computer is responsive to voice commands, and the display has a periodontal mode and a restorative mode. The display includes an exam overview window illustrating a plurality of tooth images, each tooth image corresponding to a patient tooth location, and an exam focus window. The exam focus window illustrates a magnified view of at least one of the plurality of tooth images, and illustrates data corresponding to the selected tooth location. The exam focus window may be displayed beside the exam overview window, as a floating window on top of the exam overview window, or on a physically separate display from the exam overview window.

The application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No.61/113,822 which was filed on Nov. 12, 2008.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This application relates to dentistry, and more specifically toperiodontal and restorative dental charting.

Dentists and other dental professionals use dental charts to recordinformation about their patients' teeth. This data may includeperiodontal information, such as a pocket depth of a recess between apatient's gums and tooth for a outer, facial side of the tooth and ainner, lingual side of the tooth. This data may also include restorativeinformation about tooth conditions (e.g. cavities) and tooth treatments(e.g. fillings). Recording this data has required two people: a firstperson to take measurements or make observations, and a second person torecord those measurements or observations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A computer-implemented dental charting system includes a computerstoring tooth data for at least one patient and a display operable todisplay the tooth data. The computer is responsive to voice commands,and the display has a periodontal mode and a restorative mode. Thedisplay includes an exam overview window illustrating a plurality oftooth images, each tooth image corresponding to a patient toothlocation, and an exam focus window. The exam focus window illustrates amagnified view of at least one of the plurality of tooth images, andillustrates data corresponding to the selected tooth location. The examfocus window may be displayed beside the exam overview window, as afloating window on top of the exam overview window, or on a physicallyseparate display from the exam overview window.

A method of presenting dental data stored on a computer-readable mediumincludes displaying on a first display portion an exam overview windowincluding a plurality of tooth images, each tooth image corresponding toa patient tooth location. An exam focus window is displayed on a seconddisplay portion. The exam focus window includes a magnified view of atleast one tooth image corresponding to a selected tooth location, andincludes data corresponding to the selected tooth location. The examoverview window and the exam focus window have a periodontal mode and arestorative mode. A tooth review window illustrates a history for theselected tooth location. The history includes previous tooth conditions,suggested treatments, and a status of the suggested treatments. Thetooth review window is selectively displayed on the first displayportion in response to actuation of a tooth review command.

These and other features of the present invention can be best understoodfrom the following specification and drawings, the following of which isa brief description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 schematically illustrates a periodontal charting system.

FIG. 2 illustrates an example exam overview window and an example examfocus window of the periodontal charting system of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 illustrates another example exam focus window.

FIG. 4 illustrates another exam overview window configured to displayperiodontal examination data.

FIG. 5 illustrates an example exam focus window in the restorative mode.

FIG. 6 illustrates another example of the exam overview window and examfocus window in the restorative mode.

FIG. 7 illustrates a default materials configuration view.

FIG. 8 illustrates an example tooth review window.

FIG. 9 illustrates an example “treatment plan” view in a teeth view.

FIG. 9a illustrates the example “treatment plan” view in a table view.

FIG. 10a illustrates an example “natural tooth” view in the restorativemode.

FIG. 10b illustrates an example “tooth treatment history” view in therestorative mode.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

FIG. 1 schematically illustrates a dental charting system 100 forrecording and retrieving periodontal and restorative data relating toteeth. The system 100 includes a computer 102 a. The computer includes aCPU 104, a storage module 106, a wireless communication module 108, anda wired communication module 109. The storage module may include a harddrive, a flash drive, an optical drive, or any other storage medium. Inone example the wireless module 108 corresponds to a wireless Ethernetcard capable of communicating over WiFi, or a Bluetooth card. Thecomputer 102 a is connected to a first display 110 and an optionalsecond display 112. The computer 102 a communicates with the displays110, 112 to illustrate an exam overview window 12 and an exam focuswindow 14 (see FIG. 2). In one example the system only includes thefirst display 110, and both of the windows 12, 14 are shown on the firstdisplay 110. In this example, the windows 12, 14 could be shownside-by-side, or the window 14 could be floating on top of the window12. In one example, the system 100 shows the exam overview window 12 onthe first display 110, and shows the exam focus window 14 on the seconddisplay 112.

In one example the system 100 includes a second computer 102 b thatcommunicates with the first computer 102 a via a network 103. Thenetwork 103 may correspond to the Internet or another wide area network,or may correspond to a local area network, for example. The computers102 a-b may be configured in a client-server relationship such thatcomputer 102 b hosts a “data layer” and the computer 102 a stores an“application layer” and a “graphical user interface” (“GUI”) layer. Thecomputers 102 a-b may be configured in a “software as a service”(“Saas”) relationship such that the computer 102 b hosts a data layerand an application layer and the computer 102 a stores an additionalapplication layer for receiving voice commands and a presentation layer.The presentation layer may be implemented through a web browser, forexample.

The system 100 (see FIG. 1) is responsive to a plurality of input modes,such as mouse 116, keyboard 114, Dental R.A.T. 118, Florida probe 120,and voice (via microphone 122). Of course, other input modes could beused. For example, the displays 110, 112 could be configured to betouchscreens responsive to touch commands. Certain entry modes, such asvoice, enable a single user to take tooth measurements, and toefficiently record the measurements without requiring manual data entrythrough the mouse 116 or keyboard 114. Throughout this application, theterm “user” is used to refer to an individual who would use the system100, such as a dentist, a dental hygienist, etc., and the term “patient”is used to refer to an individual whose teeth are represented in thesystem 100.

The input devices 114-122 may communicate with the computer 102 a viathe wireless communication module 108 or the wired communication module109. Although a plurality of the input devices 114-122 could be used tocommunicate with the computer 102 a, it is understood that a singleinput device would suffice. It is also understood that a combination ofthese devices 114-122 can be used at the same time to enter data.

The system 100 has both a “periodontal” mode and a “restorative” mode.These modes may be toggled using periodontal button 130 or restorativebutton 132. FIG. 2 illustrates the windows 12, 14 of the system 100 in aside-by-side configuration in the periodontal mode. The exam overviewwindow 12 includes a plurality of lingual tooth images 16 representing alingual side of each of a patient's teeth, and a plurality of facialtooth images 18 representing a facial side of each of the patient'steeth. A first set 20 of facial and lingual tooth images corresponds tothe patient's upper jaw, and a second set 22 of facial and lingual toothimages corresponds to the patient's lower jaw. Each tooth 16,18 isillustrated with respect to a gum line 17 and a ruler 21.

The exam overview window 12 includes a PerioExam tab 26, a Notes tab 28,a History/Compare tab 30, and a Configuration tab 32. Each of the tabs26-32 correspond to different views in the exam overview window 12, andselecting a tab 26-32 activates a corresponding view. As shown in FIG.2, the PerioExam tab 26 is active and the exam overview window 12 is inthe PerioExam view. The PerioExam view includes a first toolbar 24 thatoffers the user a plurality of buttons and radio buttons to performvarious functions, and a second toolbar 25 that offers additionaloptions to the user. An administrative area 34 illustratesadministrative data, such as a patient name 36, dentist name 38,hygienist name 40, date 42, etc. A selected tooth may be represented bya frame 19. The frame 19 may also be used to highlight several teeth atonce (see FIG. 4). For example, a frame 19 could be used to indicateteeth that have deteriorated more than a predefined threshold. The examfocus window 14 illustrates the selected tooth. As described above, theexam focus window 14 could be illustrated on the first display 110 orthe second display 112.

Various commands and features of the system 100 will now be described indetail.

Flag Command

The system 100 allows a user to flag a tooth to remind the user about acertain condition. In the example of FIG. 2, a user has flagged a thirdtooth 16, as indicated by the flags 44 in the exam overview window 12and in the exam focus window 14. Different colors, shapes and styles maybe used for the flags 44 to indicate various periodontal and restorativeconditions, and to provide a reminder to a user between patientexaminations.

The system 100 may display hints over a tooth. For example, if a userflagged a tooth three years ago for a specific condition, the hint abovethe flag 44 would indicate when the tooth was originally flagged, andunless the user removes the flag 44, the flag 44 will remain throughoutthe examination lifecycle for the specific patient. Also, the system 100logs who set the flag, the date of the flag, the date the flag wascleared, etc.

The system 100 also allows users to print flags 44 on reports, andallows users to clear all flags 44. Flags 44 can also be captured astransactions to mark pre-existing and completed restorative conditions(e.g. implant, dentures, crowns) and clinical conditions (e.g. missingtooth, impacted), as will be described below in reference to the toothreview window 150 (see FIG. 8). The system 100 treats a flag 44 as atransaction that can be tracked through time.

Auto Advance/Resume

In the periodontal mode, the system 100 includes an “auto advance”function to automatically advance to successive teeth so that a user canspeak measurements, and once all measurements for a teeth are recordedthe system 100 automatically advances to the next tooth.

At times a user may want to override the auto advance function. Forexample, if certain comments or additional notes need to be made for aspecific tooth, a user may wish to temporarily stop the auto advance inorder to perform a task, such as having a side conversation with anotheruser (e.g. a hygienist may wish to speak to a dentist). Also, it ispossible that a user may need to make a note about a tooth out ofsequence. For example, a user may be recording data about the seventhtooth when the second tooth starts bleeding. The user may wish to selectthe delayed bleeding button 50 for the second tooth (see FIG. 3). Theuser could say “Auto advance ON/OFF” (or another command to override theauto advance), say “Tooth two,” say “delayed bleeding,” and then say“resume.” The system 100 could then say “seventh tooth” and the system100 could resume recording data on the seventh tooth. In one example thesystem 100 resumes at the beginning of the seventh tooth. In anotherexample the system 100 resumes on the measurement of the seventh tooththat was being recorded when the override occurred.

The resume command allows the user to return back to a tooth and examthat was selected at the time the auto advance override occurred. Theresume command may be initiated by selecting the resume button 54 (seeFIG. 3), or, for example, by speaking “resume.” The resume commandremembers not only an active tooth number at the time of interruption,but also remembers the specific exam that was administered at the timeof override. This allows users to effectively start where they left off,saving time and increasing productivity.

History/Compare

FIG. 4 illustrates the exam overview window 12 of the system 100 in theHistory/Compare view (note the History/Compare tab 30 is active) of theperiodontal mode. The History/Compare view enables a user to instantlysee what teeth are deteriorating or improving by comparing data frommultiple exams using graphical indications.

Arrows may be used to indicate a gum improvement (e.g. arrow 63 fromroot of tooth 16 to gum line 17 to indicate depth reduction) or a gumdeterioration (e.g. arrow 64 from gum line 17 to root of tooth 16 toindicate depth increase). In one example arrows are only used if theimprovement or deterioration exceeds a predetermined threshold (such astwo units). The predetermined threshold may be adjusted on anadministrative or per-user level (as described in the Configurationsection below). Different colors may be used for the arrows, such as agreen arrow for an improvement and a red arrow for deterioration. Ofcourse, other colors could be used. The arrows are explained in a firstlegend 61. A second legend 62 indicates symbols used to indicate variousexaminations. In the example of FIG. 4 lines having different weights orstyles (e.g. solid, dashed, etc.) are used in the second legend 62 toindicate various previous examinations. However, color could also beused to distinguish the different indicators.

A comparison window 65 may be used to provide the various measurementscorresponding to the multiple exams. In one example, the comparisonwindow 64 is activated by hovering over the selected teeth (upper jawlingual teeth nine, ten, and eleven in FIG. 4) and hovering over themwith a pointer. Although the comparison window 64 of FIG. 4 illustratesdata from four previous tests, it is understood that more or less datacould be shown in the window 65. Also, although pocket depth, FGM, andattachment data is shown, it is understood that different data could beshown in the window 65. In one example the comparison window 35 could beshown as a separate window floating on top of the window 12.

Configuration

The system 100 provides extended configuration at administrative user(“admin”) level and at the non-administrative user (“non-admin”) levelin both the periodontal and restorative modes. One way to enterconfiguration preferences is to select the configuration tab 32 (seeFIG. 2). Some example configurable features include a preferred sequenceof teeth to use for the auto advance feature, the predeterminedthreshold associated with the gum improvement and deterioration arrows63, 64, and report templates. An admin user can choose to either permitor prevent non-admin users from overriding the admin user's predefinedsettings.

Also, as will be described below in connection with FIG. 6, defaultmaterials may be selected in the restorative mode as a configurationfeature.

Exam Focus Window: Periodontal Mode

FIG. 3 illustrates an example exam focus window 14 in the periodontalmode.

The exam focus window 14 is a dedicated window that provides detailedinformation about an active tooth. For example, in the example of FIG. 3the upper jaw seventh tooth is active.

The exam focus window includes a plurality of options in the periodontalmode. A user may select any of a plurality of depths 46. A bleedingbutton 48 may be used to indicate bleeding of a tooth 16, 18. A delayedbleeding button 50 may be used to indicate delayed bleeding of a tooth16, 18. A voice activation button 52 may be selected to turn voicecontrol ON of OFF. The auto advance checkbox 56 may be selected totoggle the auto advance feature ON or OFF. Also the flip button 58 maybe used, as will be described below.

The exam focus window 14 can be sized and moved by a user as desired,and although the exam overview window 12 and the exam focus window 14are illustrated side-by-side on the first display 110 in FIG. 2,different viewing configurations would be possible. For example, theexam focus window 14 could be a floating window that is displayed on topof the exam overview window 12. Also, the exam overview window 12 couldbe shown on the first display 110 and the exam focus window 14 could beshown on the second display 112. In one example the exam focus window 14is illustrated on the second display 112, and the second display 112 isa widescreen display that may be rotated to have a portrait as opposedto a landscape orientation. In one example the displays 110, 112 arevisible from a distance (e.g. 5-6 feet away), and provide visualfeedback to a user using the system 100, such that the user can betaking measurements and interacting with the system 100 at a distance.

The exam focus window 14 includes display style buttons 86 a-c that maybe selected to change how the exam focus window 14 is displayed.

Flip Command

The Flip command enables a user to switch between lingual and facialside of a tooth with a single command. This command may be enteredeither vocally (e.g. saying “Flip”) or by clicking the Flip button 58.

One method of conducting a periodontal exam is to follow a sequence bytaking measurements for a first side (facial or lingual) of a firsttooth, proceeding to a next tooth in the sequence, taking measurementsfor the first side of that next tooth, and so on. A measurement of thesecond side of the first tooth is not taken until the sequence returnsto the first tooth. However, some users may desire to take measurementsfor both sides of the first tooth before proceeding. Such a user may usethe Flip command to achieve this by taking measurements for a first sideof the first tooth, speaking “Flip” (or clicking the Flip button 58),taking measurements for the second side of the first tooth, speaking“Flip” (or clicking the button 58) and then proceeding to the nexttooth. The system 100 is therefore able to accommodate a wide variety ofexamination preferences.

Voice Triplet Command

The voice triplet feature allows a user to provide multiple commands ormeasurements in a single spoken entry. For example when takingmeasurements in the periodontal mode, instead of a user saying “two” andwaiting to hear audio feedback, saying “one” and waiting for audiofeedback, and then saying “two” and waiting for audio feedback, the usercould simply say “two one two” and the system 100 would parse thosemeasurements simultaneously and repeat back “two one two” to the user.This enables a user to quickly record three pocket depths for one fullside of a tooth. The system 100 is operable to process the words “twoone two” as a single entry in a voice recognition dictionary, as opposedto the method described above of speaking a first measurement, receivingfeedback, speaking a second measurement, receiving feedback, etc., whichwould be processed as multiple entries in the voice recognitiondictionary. Thus, entry speeds can be improved on the order of threetimes. The voice triplet feature is also applicable to other exam types,including Free Gingival Margin (“FGM”) and Muco-Gingival Junction(“MGJ”), etc.

The voice triplet command feature provides an opportunity for reducingthe duration of a periodontal exam. For example, when entering datausing a keyboard, a data entry speed may be between 70-90 tests/numbersper minute as compared to 30-40 tests/numbers per minute for voicecommands. With this feature, the voice command speed may be between80-110 tests/numbers per minute, making voice entry as fast as, if notfaster than, the keyboard entry.

Feedback

The system 100 is operable to provide feedback in response to voicecommands. As described above, in the periodontal mode a user couldrecord measurements by speaking, for example, “two three two” and thesystem 100 could repeat back to the user “two three two” to confirm thatthe measurements were correctly received. The feedback speed could bealtered to provide feedback as quickly or as long as desired. Forexample, a user could configure the system 100 to accept 30 measurementsper minute. The feedback provides immediate validation to all modes ofentry, and helps prevent data entry errors prevalent in the prior art.

Sample Voice Commands

The following is a sample series of voice commands in the periodontalmode: “Auto Advance ON, Pocket, 2, 1, 2, Flip, 2, 3, 1, Flip, FGM.” Thisseries of commands would turn ON the auto advance feature (see button56), would indicate a pocket examination (see exam type selector 94),would indicate measurements “2 1 2” for a first side of a tooth, andwould indicate would flip the tooth, and would then indicatemeasurements “2 3 1” for a second side of the tooth. The FGM typeexamination would then be selected.

Other Periodontal Features

The exam focus window 14 includes a plurality of other options andfeatures that will now be described. Referring to FIG. 3, the percussionbutton 70, the clefting button 72, the MAG button 74, and thesuppuration button 76 may be used to indicate percussion, clefting, MAG,or suppuration of a tooth.

The tooth reset button 84 resets all measurements for a tooth so that auser may provide a new set of measurements or clear an erroneous set ofmeasurements. The stop button 78, pause button 79, and continue button80 may be used to interrupt a session, or to continue the session. Theprevious button 59 and next button 60 may be used to advance to aconsecutive or previous tooth. The tooth display area 82 illustrates amagnified active tooth 16 and gum line 17. The note button 84 may beactuated if a user wants to make a note about an active tooth. Adirectional arrow 92 may be used to indicate a direction of the sequence(i.e. which tooth is to be measured next). A marker 93 may be used toindicate which of the three measurements on the tooth is the currentmeasurement (i.e. the measurement currently being recorded). In theexample of FIG. 2, the marker 93 indicates that the third measurement isthe current measurement. In the example of FIG. 3, the marker 93indicates that the first measurement is the current measurement.

A visual numeric feedback display 88 visually indicates a recordedmeasurement or plurality of measurements of the active tooth. Toothrotation buttons 90, 92 may be used to indicate that a tooth is angled(which can affect depth measurements). If a user rotates a tooth usingthe buttons 90, 92, the rotation would also be shown in the examoverview window 12. A user can also indicate if a tooth is impactedusing the user interface. If a user indicated that a tooth was impacted,the tooth would be illustrated as impacted in both the exam overviewwindow 12 and the exam focus window 14. In one example, if a userdesignates a tooth as impacted that tooth is omitted from the autoadvance sequence, as no depth measurements can be made for an impactedtooth. A user could also zoom, pan, or move a tooth. For example, a usercould click and drag a tooth to move the tooth in either the examoverview window 12 or the exam focus window 14. Also, a user couldmagnify a tooth, and then click and drag the tooth to pan the tooth inthe magnified view. An exam type selector 94 may be used to choosedifferent types of examinations.

As discussed above, the frame 19 is a border around a tooth 16, 18 thatenables the user to quickly locate the tooth. The frame 19 helps toavoid misnumbering (e.g. a user is less likely to be mistaken about whattooth is active). The frame 19 is particularly useful when a user is notparticularly close to the display 110, 112 and when a patient has teethare moved and/or rotated.

Users have the ability to turn ON or OFF the gum line 17, the ruler 21,and the frame 19. Users also have the ability to print any screen andsave it as a PDF report.

The system 100 provides key reports and associated structure and abilityto select any combination to print or save, including reports with thePSR score.

Restorative Mode

As discussed above, the system 100 has both a periodontal mode and arestorative mode, and these modes may be toggled by selecting buttons130, 132 (see, e.g., FIG. 2). In the restorative mode a user may enterdata regarding tooth treatments (e.g., root canals, bridges, dentures,etc.) and conditions (e.g., missing teeth, impacted teeth, crackedteeth, etc.) Various features of the restorative mode will now bediscussed.

Restorative Mode Features

Referring to FIG. 5, in the restorative mode, areas of concern may beindicated using a marker 150. Thus, if a user is concerned about aparticular area of a tooth and wants that area to be monitored, button152 can be selected to create a tooth watch marker 150.

FIG. 6 illustrates examples of the windows 12, 14 in the restorativemode. As shown in FIG. 6, if a missing tooth 143 in the window 12 may beshown as a missing tooth 143 in the exam focus window 14.

FIG. 6 also illustrates a root selector 146. In the restorative mode, itmay be necessary to indicate a relevant root of a tooth. For example, ifa dentist performs a root canal, it would be desirable to indicate whichroot of a tooth was operated on. The root selector 146 enables a user toperform such an indication. In one example the root selector 146dynamically changes in response to which tooth is actively selected.

In response to a single-rooted tooth, the root selector 146 indicatesonly an “R” for root. In response to a two-rooted tooth, the rootselector 146 indicates either L and F buttons (for a tooth having alingual/facial orientation), or M and D buttons (for a tooth having amesial/distal orientation). In response to a three-rooted tooth, theroot selector 146 indicates M and D and L buttons (for mesial, distal,lingual).

As shown in FIG. 6, a user may select buttons 160, 162, 164 to switchbetween a “pre-existing” view in which pre-existing teeth treatments canbe viewed, a “treatment plan” view in which proposed treatments can beviewed, and “completed work” view in which completed procedures can beviewed. The “pre-existing” view may be used to reflect patient toothinformation as it exists when the patient sits in the dental chair. Thatis, this view may include work performed in previous dental visits to adentist using the system 100 or to previous visits to other unknowndentists.

Exam Focus Window: Restorative Mode

Referring again to FIG. 5, the exam focus window 14 is illustrated inthe restorative mode. In this mode a plurality of treatments 134 (e.g.,restore, crown, extract, root canal, bridge, etc.) and a plurality ofconditions 136 (e.g., missing, impacted, cracked, etc.) can be selected.A tooth selector 138 may be used to select an active tooth. A toothmaterial selector 140 may be used to select a material. For example, ifa dentist was creating a filling the material of the filling could beindicated.

Default materials may be entered in a material selection window 142 (seeFIG. 7). This can save considerable time for a user of the system 100.For example, if a user was entering a crown, the system 100 could lookupthe default crown material and enter that material without requiring auser to select the material during entry. This could save time if theuser was entering data using voice commands. For example, if a defaultcrown material was gold, a user could enter a crown on tooth 3 by simplysaying “crown, tooth 2, tooth 4” and the system would automatically knowthat gold was being used. This is in contrast to the prior art where auser would have to manually enter the crown by using a mouse to click“crown, tooth 2, gold, tooth 3, gold, tooth 4, gold.”

As shown in FIG. 5, the exam focus window 14 in the restorative viewincludes a plurality of magnified tooth images: a facial tooth image144, an occlusal tooth image 146, and a lingual tooth image 148

Tooth Review

FIG. 8 illustrates an example tooth review window 150. The tooth reviewwindow 150 displays a restorative mode history for a selected toothlocation. The history includes previous tooth conditions 153, suggestedtreatments and a status of the suggested treatments 154. The toothreview window also indicates dates 156 of previous conditions. In oneexample the tooth review window 150 is actuated in response to selectinga button 158 in proximity to an active tooth (see FIG. 6). The toothreview window enables a user to quickly obtain a history for a specifictooth. This feature is quite helpful, as it avoids the need for a userto parse through data for all teeth when only a single tooth is ofconcern.

Treatment and Insurance Plans

FIG. 9 illustrates an example “treatment plan” view (note that button162 is selected) in the restorative mode. In this view, a first portion166 of the exam overview window 12 illustrates a first proposedtreatment, and a second portion 168 of the exam overview window 12illustrates at least one of a second proposed treatment or existingconditions. A frame 19 having a dotted line border may be used toindicate teeth which have proposed or planned procedures.

The treatment plan view may be used to discuss potential and performedtreatments with a patient, and to help a patient understand the costsassociated with a treatment. Each portion 166, 168 includes a total cost170, an insurance cost 172, and a patient out-of-pocket cost 174. Asshown in FIG. 7, a dentist is recommending that a patient perform workon teeth 6-7 and 12-13 in a first plan (see portion 166) and isrecommending that the patient have tooth 2 removed and have workperformed on teeth 7 and 12 in a second plan (see portion 168). In oneexample, when a user enters a proposed treatment the user enters apredefined treatment code that can be submitted to an insurance companyor an insurance database to determine an insurance coverage amount. Inthis example, codes put forth by the American Dental Association (“ADA”)or equivalent codes may be used.

Within the treatment plan view, a user may select between a “teeth view”500 (see FIG. 9) or a “table view” 502 (see FIG. 9a ). The teeth view,as shown in FIG. 9, graphically illustrates treatment information usingtooth images. The table view, as shown in FIG. 9a , illustratestreatment information using one or more tables.

FIG. 10a illustrates a natural tooth view 176, and FIG. 10b illustratesa tooth treatment history view 178, each of which could be viewable inthe “pre-existing” or “completed work” views (see buttons 160, 164). Thenatural tooth view 176 uses tooth images to indicate what a tooth lookslike. For example, the shading 186 on tooth 31 indicates that an amalgamfilling has been created. The shading 188 on tooth 2 indicates that agold filling has been created. Of course, instead of shading 186 a greycoloring could be used and instead of shading 188 a gold coloring couldbe used. The tooth treatment history view 178 using a first shading 190to indicate procedures performed by a current dentist and uses a secondshading 184 to indicate procedures performed by a previous dentist. Ofcourse, coloring could be used in conjunction with or instead ofshading. This feature could be useful for certain procedures, such ascrowns, which many dentists warrant will last for a number of years(e.g. 5 years). If the procedure was performed by a previous dentist, acurrent dentist would not be obligated to fix the tooth for free, forexample.

FIG. 10b illustrates an example completed work view 178 whichillustrates work performed on a patient's teeth. The shading on 190 ontooth 31 illustrates that an external treatment has been performed.Symbol 182 indicates a defective condition on a tooth. The shading 194on tooth 2 indicates that an internal treatment has been performed. Ofcourse, instead of or to supplement the shading 190, 194, color could beused.

Zooming and Panning

A user may zoom or pan within the exam overview window 12 if desired. Inone example, if the user zooms in the exam overview window 12 and thenselects a tooth in the exam focus window 14, the exam overview window 12will maintain a zoom level and will pan or scroll to the selected toothsuch that the selected tooth may be viewed simultaneously in bothwindows 12, 14.

Scalability

The system 100 is scalable, and may be expanded to include multiplemachines operating across a wide area network. For example, a doctorcould create a proposed treatment on a first computer (e.g., in thedoctor's office or home). The doctor could then present the treatment ona first computer in a dental office. An administrative assistant couldthen transmit treatment information to an insurance company on a secondcomputer in the dental office. Of course this configuration is onlyexemplary, and it is understood that other configurations would bepossible.

Although many features of the system 100 have been described in thecontext of a button that may be selected, it is understood that thesefeatures and options could be activated by any of the aforementionedinput modes, including, but not limited to, mouse, keyboard, DentalR.A.T., Florida probe, and voice.

Although a preferred embodiment of this invention has been disclosed, aworker of ordinary skill in this art would recognize that certainmodifications would come within the scope of this invention. For thatreason, the following claims should be studied to determine the truescope and content of this invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A computer-implemented dental charting systemcomprising: a computer storing tooth data for a plurality of teeth for apatient, the computer being responsive to voice commands to receiveperiodontal measurements sequentially for each of the plurality of teethand to associate the periodontal measurements with each of the pluralityof teeth, wherein each of the plurality of teeth is sequentially a“selected tooth” for which the computer is receiving periodontalmeasurements, wherein the computer is programmed to receive threeconsecutively-spoken periodontal measurements without requiring aspeaker to pause between spoken measurements, to store the threeconsecutively-spoken periodontal measurements, to parse the threeconsecutively-spoken periodontal measurements, and to associate thethree periodontal measurements with the selected tooth; and a displayoperable to display the tooth data.
 2. The computer-implemented dentalcharting system of claim 1 wherein the computer is further programmed torepeat the three periodontal measurements as audio feedback.
 3. Thecomputer-implemented dental charting system of claim 2 wherein thecomputer is programmed to receive the three consecutively-spokenperiodontal measurements without providing audible feedback between thethree consecutively-spoken periodontal measurements, and to repeat thethree periodontal measurements as audio feedback after storing the threeconsecutively-spoken periodontal measurements.
 4. A method of storingdental data on a computer-readable medium including the steps of: a)receiving on a computer three consecutively-spoken periodontalmeasurements without requiring a speaker to pause between spokenmeasurements; b) storing the three consecutively-spoken periodontalmeasurements on the computer; and c) parsing the threeconsecutively-spoken periodontal measurements on the computer andassociating the three periodontal measurements with a tooth of apatient.
 5. The method of claim 4 further including the steps of: d)after said step c), automatically repeating said steps a)-c) for anadjacent tooth of the patient.
 6. The method of claim 5 furtherincluding the steps of: e) after said step c), repeating the threeperiodontal measurements as audio feedback.
 7. The method of claim 6wherein the computer receives the three consecutively-spoken periodontalmeasurements without providing audible feedback between the threeconsecutively-spoken periodontal measurements, the method furtherincluding the step of repeating the three periodontal measurements asaudio feedback after said step b).